MOUNTAIN CLUBS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 114, 17 May 1933, Page 20

MOUNTAIN CLUBS.

NEW ZEAIiAJfD FEDERATION. Tho second annual meeting of the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand was held in Wellington recently. Mr. F. Wi Vosseler, president, was in tho chair. Tho president referred to tho launching of the Ski Council of New Zealand during the year, and tho largo amount of work that had been done to further tho interests of that sport in the Dominion. Arrangements wero in hand for holding the New Zealand eki championships on the Tasmaa Glacier during the coming winter. Ski tests were also being arranged to bring New. Zealand into line with other countries in the world interested in. winter sports.

Two new ski cluba had been formed during the year, the Otago and Windwhistle Ski Clubs, and tho Marlborough Tramping Club had been affiliated. Most clubs had ehown an increase in membership, proving the popularity of the sports covered by the federation's activities. With regard to the recent mishap in the Tararuas, it was acknowledged by the delegates that some sound system of investigation was necessary. Every mishap or accident should teach eome lesson, and, unless . the lesson was pointed out, others would readily fall into the same trap. Some scheme of inquiry was necessary, under "which each mishap, could 'bo investigated by a committee of .experts.. The incoming comniitteo will consider this matter.

The Hutt Committee hae prepared folios for distribution to clubs, containing all available information concerning all the mountain and tramping huts Iα the Dominion. The reserves committee is doing similar work in regard to all the public reserves in New Zealand. It was recommended to clubs that they should endeavour to establish search funds. The Tararua Tramping Club, tho Mount Egmont Alpine Club, and the Huapehu Ski Club all have funds in existence, and these funds can be called upon in case of mishap or accident. The officers and committee of the Federated Mountain Clubs for the ensuing year are:—President, Mr. A. P. Harper; vice-presidents, Messrs. F. W. Vosseler, L. O. Hooker, K. M. Griilin, E. C. A. Ferricr and Dr. G. M. Moirj hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. D. A. Carty; hon. auditor, Mr. Campbell McAllister, A.P.A. (N.Z.); committee, Messrs. W. S. Kennie, S. A. Wiren, Noel Thomson, G. B. Wilson, G. G. Lockwood, G. W. A. Day, W. Laird Thomson, H. Douglas, G. Pryor. Tho federation represents somo three thousand trampere, mountaineers and winter sports enthusiasts throughout New Zealand, and this membership is etcadily growing.